Vernon Hills Trustee David Oppenheim plans to push for an expanded smoking ban that would include restaurant patios at a meeting Wednesday, while also planning to propose a Nov. 7 discussion on banning the sale of dogs that come from puppy mills.

Oppenheim asked to schedule talks on both topics during the Village Board’s Oct. 2 meeting and Mayor Roger Byrne agreed. Wednesday’s agenda reflects a proposed change to the village’s smoking ban.

The puppy mill topic is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 7 in order to give both sides enough time to decide if they want to attend and what they might want to say, Oppenheim said.

Oppenheim said he was recently at a restaurant and found himself breathing second-hand smoke. He said the law prohibits smoking within 15 feet of any building “opening,” but some patios are narrow and stretch beyond that distance.

“Part of this would be to protect customers who prefer the patio and another part would be to protect employees,” Oppenheim said. “A waitress who is standing over a patron that’s smoking while she takes the order, she’s still inhaling the smoke even though they’re outside.”

Wednesday’s agenda mentioned other components trustees could include as part of a subsequent ordinance revision, including a prohibition on smoking anywhere at the Vernon Hills Athletic Complex while activities are in progress. Addressing the distinction between cigarettes and vaping is also an option on the agenda.

Oppenheim, who’s a doctor, said he’s not worried about his proposal appearing unfair.

“I’m not so concerned about the perception,” Oppenheim said. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Oppenheim said he also began to casually look into the topic of puppy mills after hearing comments during a recent pet shop proposal.

“When you look at the literature from the humane society, the female dogs being stuck in cages for years, it’s awful,” Oppenheim said.

Animal rights activists then spoke out at a subsequent board meeting, but Oppenheim and Mayor Byrne told them the issue was on hold.

“We’ve heard from both sides, sort of, in separate instances,” Oppenheim said. “I’d rather have a legit forum dedicated to this topic.”

Oppenheim said he’s open to intelligent discussions and he invites people on both sides of both topics to attend the upcoming meetings.

“If someone comes up with compelling enough arguments not to do either of these things, then maybe we won’t do them,” Oppenheim said.